In the early hours of September 23, 2025, a wooded stretch of Atlantic Drive in Humble, Texas, became the scene of a harrowing confrontation between Harris County Sheriff’s deputies and a heavily armed man lying in wait. What began as a routine response to a reported emergency call quickly escalated into a life-threatening ordeal that, by sheer luck—and perhaps something more—ended without injury to any law enforcement officers.
According to multiple local news outlets, including KTRK, CW39, Fox 26 Houston, and Breitbart Texas, deputies were dispatched to the 18600 block of Atlantic Drive after receiving what authorities now believe was a fake or “swatting” call. Swatting, a dangerous prank involving false reports of emergencies to provoke a large police response, has become an unsettling trend nationwide. But the events that unfolded in Humble that morning were anything but a joke.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that when deputies arrived, they were met with gunfire from Kenyon Levor Coleman, a 47-year-old local man who had apparently set the stage for an ambush. Dressed entirely in black, Coleman had positioned himself in a wooded area, set up a chair, and armed himself with an automatic rifle and what investigators described as “numerous amounts of ammunition.” The chilling detail of a chair, purposefully placed in the woods, underscored the premeditated nature of the attack, as reported by Fox 26 Houston.
“Coleman wore all black clothing and had a chair set up, armed with a rifle and numerous amounts of ammunition,” Sheriff Gonzalez wrote on social media, as cited by KTRK and KHOU. The deputies, approaching in the darkness, had little warning before Coleman opened fire. Miraculously, none of the deputies were hit. Sheriff Gonzalez later reflected, “I thank God no deputies were hurt.”
As the gunfire erupted, fate—or perhaps faulty mechanics—intervened. Coleman’s rifle jammed, halting his attack. According to Breitbart Texas, the rifle, identified as an AK-47, was found with an expended shell casing jammed in the ejection port. Unable to clear the malfunction, Coleman abandoned his position and retreated deeper into the woods. Deputies, undeterred and acting quickly, pursued and apprehended him without further incident. The rifle and a large cache of ammunition were recovered at the scene.
Investigators soon pieced together the sequence of events. The initial emergency call that drew deputies to the area was likely a ruse, intended to lure law enforcement officers into a deadly trap. Sheriff Gonzalez stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Appears as though the initial call for service was a possible fake/swatting call.” The intent, authorities believe, was to ambush the responding deputies—a chilling possibility that has shaken both the department and the wider community.
Coleman was promptly charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, a first-degree felony in Texas, punishable by up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000, as highlighted by KTRK. He was booked into the Harris County Jail shortly after his arrest. The reason behind Coleman’s actions remains a mystery. As Fox 26 Houston reported, “At this time, the reasoning behind the assault is unclear.”
This was not Coleman’s first encounter with law enforcement over firearms. Court records obtained by Breitbart Texas reveal that in March 2023, Coleman was arrested on a felony charge for possessing an unregistered machine gun. That charge was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence, and in March 2024, a judge ordered the return of the seized weapon—described as an AK-47 rifle—along with body armor and ammunition. The weapon used in Tuesday’s incident appears to be the very same AK-47 that was previously confiscated and then returned.
For deputies on the scene, the incident could have easily turned tragic. Swatting calls have become a growing menace, often resulting in dangerous confrontations and, in some cases, fatal outcomes. The Humble incident stands out for the level of planning involved. Coleman’s deliberate preparations—dark clothing, a chair for waiting, a powerful rifle, and a stockpile of ammunition—point to an intent to inflict harm on law enforcement.
Yet, as authorities and residents alike have noted, the outcome could have been much worse. Sheriff Gonzalez’s gratitude was echoed by many. “I thank God no deputies were hurt,” he reiterated, a sentiment that resonated throughout the law enforcement community and among local residents who followed the unfolding news with a mix of relief and alarm.
The case has reignited conversations about the dangers faced by law enforcement officers responding to calls that may be traps. It also raises questions about gun laws and the return of confiscated firearms, especially those linked to previous criminal cases. The fact that Coleman’s AK-47 had once been seized and then returned by court order adds a troubling layer to the story, prompting renewed scrutiny of how such decisions are made and the potential risks involved.
For now, Coleman sits in the Harris County Jail, facing a charge that could keep him behind bars for decades. The investigation continues, with authorities seeking to determine whether Coleman himself made the swatting call or if others were involved. As of late Tuesday morning, it remained unclear who placed the original emergency call, as reported by KTRK.
Meanwhile, the deputies who responded that morning are back on patrol, no doubt shaken but unharmed. Their experience serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can await even the most routine call for service. In this case, a jammed rifle and quick police work turned what could have been a devastating ambush into a story of survival.
As Harris County weighs the implications of this close call, the community is left to reflect on the thin line between tragedy and relief—and the everyday risks faced by those sworn to protect and serve.
